Baccalaureate Degree Requirements Policy (Policy 25)

Purpose

This policy establishes general minimum requirements for the Baccalaureate Degree. Upon approval of the Provost, colleges and/or individual programs may establish additional published requirements beyond those listed.

1. Credit Hours

   The credit hour is defined by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) 2017 Administrative rule as “an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonable approximates not less than: 

   1. One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately 15 weeks for one semester or trimester hour of credit, or 10 to 12 weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different period of time; or 
   2. Documented student learning outcomes and evidence of student achievement resulting from a program provided through an alternative delivery method that demonstrates equivalency to those competencies achieved through traditional classroom delivery; or 
   3. At least an equivalent amount of student work as required to achieve intended learning outcomes or competencies as verified by evidence of student achievement for other academic activities established by the institution, including prior learning assessment, laboratory work, internships, practical, studio work and other academic work leading to the award of each credit hour.

Policy

In order to graduate with a bachelor’s degree, a student must meet the following minimum university degree requirements: 

1. Complete a minimum of 120 credit hours. 
2. Complete a minimum of 40 upper division credit hours, including any upper division transfer credit accepted toward the degree requirements. 
   1. In rare circumstances, a program may have a minimum of fewer than 40 upper division credit hours. 
   2. Program exceptions must be in compliance with the Illinois Board of Higher Education policy, be reviewed and recommended by the appropriate Faculty Senate committees, and be approved by the President. 
3. Satisfy Policy 51, University General Education Requirement. 
4. Satisfy Policy 28, Academic Residency Requirements for Degree Programs. 
5. Satisfy Policy 72, Junior Seminar and Undergraduate Capstone Requirements. 
6. Satisfy Policy 48, Writing Across the Curriculum. 
7. Degree Seeking First Year Students, as defined in Policy 34 Undergraduate Admission, are required to complete the course Mastering College: Navigating Higher Education. 
8. Demonstrate all degree requirements have been met as defined by the student’s study plan approved in the college, including removal of all grades of incomplete (I and E) and missing (M) grades. 
9. Be in Good academic standing. 
10. Meet all financial obligations to the university. 
11. Complete the collegial and university procedures that cover implementation of the above requirements.